Cigar-perforator.



V. A. BENSON.

CIGAR PEBFOBATOR. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2,1915.

1 ,284,566. Patented Nov. 12, 1918'.

n'nic VICTOR A. BENSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed November 2, 1915. Serial No. 59,261.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Vroror. A. Benson, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oigar-Perforators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention provides a very simple and effective mechanism for perforating the end of the cigar by punching out a clean hole'in the tobacco. This avoids cutting off the tip of the cigar and preserves the shape of the cigar more completely while it is being smoked, and at the same time provides ample draft.

The accompanying drawing shows certain exemplifying embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of embodiment in different forms.

Figure l is a side elevation somewhat enlarged, of a cigar cutter embodying the invention.

Fi 2 is a longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 shows the blank preferably employed in producing the cutter proper.

Fig. 4: shows the cutting stem and cutter in completed form.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section further enlarged, of the cutting tip.

Fig. 6 shows the mode of use of the device.

Beference character 1 designates a tubular body withi which is a plunger 2. This may be unitary or a composite structure. It com prises the cutter proper 3, which, in a preferred form, is a tubular blade, the cutting edge of which is arranged at an angle to the tubular body, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. This arrangement produces a point i for the initial penetration of the cigar tip, and to the rear of this are cutting edges 5, which produce a shearing cut and complete the punching from the cigar end of a complete cylindrical portion of the to bacco which is contained within the tubular cutter and ejected from the space 6 to the rear of the cutting head. This ejection is assisted by the provision to the rear of the space 6 of an inclined face 7 closing the tu bular stem. The cutter and its stem, and sometimes the entire plunger 2, may be formed from sheet metal, the blank for which is shown in Fig. 3. This blank is to be pressed or rolled into cylindrical shape on a mandrel or otherwise. The parts of the blank which correspond to a completed cutter as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, are easily identified, except the parts 7, which are pointed members or tangs formed in the blank and bent in when the blank is rolled, to formthe inclined face 7 for the ejection of tobacco.

The blank after rolling may be provided by a pressing or spinning operation with an integral head 8 for the operation of the plunger, or, as shown in Fig. i, the cutter blank may terminate at a point 9 and be provided with a separate stem 10 having an extension or dowel 11 extending within the rear end of the tubular cutter, and this stem 10 may be provided with a head 11.

The plunger is guided within the body 1 by an annular shoulder 12 therein, and this shoulder also forms an abutment for a spring 13 surrounding the plunger. The other end of the spring bears against lugs 14 formed on the plunger. These may be formed in the sheet metal blank in Fig. 8 by pressing small protuberances therein before rolling. Otherwise, for the lugs 14., may be substituted an annular flange 15 which may be provided on the separate stem 10 of Fig. 4. The rear end of the plunger or stem 10 may be guided and the inward movement of the cutter may be limited by turning or spinning in the end 16 of the body. In some cases the lugs 14 or collar 15 0f the plunger may be engaged directly with the inturned end 16 of the body; otherwise, a collar or washer 17 may be placed about the plunger or stem 10 and secured by the inturning of the end of the body as in Fig. 2.

The device is used by placing the open end of the body against the tip of a cigar as in Fig. 6, and then pressing on the head 8 until the cutter enters the end of the cigar and punches out the draft hole therein. The spring 3 will then return the plunger to normal position.

I claim A blank for a cigar punch, comprising a substantially Vshaped head, a narrow shank rearward thereof and pointed members near the base of the shank separated therefrom to form an ejectin surface when the blank is rolled into tubular form.

VICTOR A. BENSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

